Shocking new pictures have revealed the decrepit state of a Lanarkshire sports stadium.
Shawfield Stadium in Rutherglen has been labelled an "eyesore" and a "blight" by local politicians as fears grow the privately owned venue will sit unused.
The stadium, which hosted greyhound racing meets, has not been open since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now pictures sent by an anonymous source to the pressure group Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation (SAGE) have showcased overgrown weeds and grass that cover standing areas, rusting gates and torn up floorboards, while it is believed the majority of trainers who used the stadium have moved to other venues.
The stadium is owned by the Glasgow bookmaker Billy King, and Companies House information lists Melanie King and Matilda Simpson as secretary and director at the venue's Shawfield Greyhound Stadium Limited company.
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey said she was saddened by the state of the venue.
She told Lanarkshire Live : "The recent photographs showing the inside of Shawfield Stadium are shocking and rather saddening.
"Shawfield is an historic local stadium and I know that many people across Rutherglen and Cambuslang still fondly remember going to watch Clyde play over the decades.
"I hope the owners can consider leasing or selling Shawfield Stadium so it can be repaired and potentially repurposed to better serve the local community rather than continue as the eyesore it has become."
SAGE have long campaigned for racing at the stadium, which has over the years been a home to Clyde football team, the Glasgow Tigers speedway outfit and even the occasional pop concert, to be cancelled.
Posting the pictures on Twitter, they stated: "Dilapidated, rusty, wrecked - a visual representation of the industry. There is no future in Scotland for greyhound racing."
Rutherglen Central and North councillor Martin Lennon believes the venue could still be a boon for the local area, either through hosting events or by providing local sports facilities.
He stated: "Seeing Shawfield fall into disrepair is a terrible failure of local and national policy
"At a time where Glasgow is becoming a huge destination for live events and tourism, we have a huge venue in Rutherglen that has, literally, gone to the dogs.
"From TRSNMT, to the gigs at Hampden, Ibrox, Bellahouston Park, to the new Junction 1 venue being built just across the road, there's a million models of successful event spaces locally.
"Shawfield could be a home to any number of events or to the dozens of local sports groups who are crying out for more facilities.
"Rather, it has been allowed to decay and fall into disuse. The Labour Administration in South Lanarkshire has a community wealth building agenda which aims to support community assets and keep them in productive, socially beneficial use."
Mr King has owned Shawfield since the late 1980s.
Janine Calikes, another Rutherglen Central and North councillor, has previously campaigned about local sites such as the Greenhill Baths, which fell into disuse.
She added: "Unfortunately there are now far too many derelict sites and buildings across Rutherglen – from the old swimming baths and the old bingo building on the Main Street, to Shawfield Stadium.
"The regeneration work that has taken place throughout Shawfield by Clyde Gateway has been transformational, but frankly the stadium stands out as a blight on the local area.
"Shawfield Stadium is valued locally and I really hope it can be brought into new use to add to the redevelopment of the area and to stand as a fitting legacy of its history."
The owners of Shawfield Stadium were contacted for comment but had not responded by our deadline.
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